Planning, Not Wishing: Part 4 — The Simple 3-Page Plan for Q1 [E238]
About this episode
Planning for a successful Q1 requires more than just hope; it demands a clear, actionable strategy. Chris outlines a straightforward three-page plan that focuses on honesty, measurable goals, and consistent execution. He emphasizes the importance of identifying what worked and what didn't in the previous year, setting specific metrics, and establishing daily accountability. With practical examples and a structured approach, this episode provides a roadmap for shop owners to transform their operations and achieve tangible results in the new year.
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Finish Strong Series: “Planning, Not Wishing — The Simple 3-Page Plan for Q1”
Presented by Shop Marketing Pros — your marketing engine for 2025 and beyond.
Episode Summary
In the final part of the Finish Strong Series, Coach Chris Cotton delivers the ultimate shop-owner reset: a simple, no-fluff, highly actionable 3 Page Plan to launch Q1 with focus, clarity, and momentum.
No corporate complexity.
No overstuffed binders.
No 27-goal “strategy lists.”
Just a tight, practical plan built around what ACTUALLY moves the needle in the first 90 days of the year.
If you want 2025 to be different — truly different — it starts with this.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
✔️ Why Most Shop Plans Fail
The traps: too big, too confusing, too vague, not shared with the team.
✔️ Page 1 — The Reality Check
Chris walks through the exact questions and assessments needed to understand:
What worked
What failed
What must be fixed first
The ONE thing that will drive the biggest Q1 win
✔️ Page 2 — The Goals That Matter
A focused, data-driven list of goals every shop should set for Q1, including:
ARO
Car count
Tech productivity
Labor GP%
Parts margin %
Customer experience targets
The 3 behaviors that directly improve all of them
✔️ Page 3 — The Action Calendar
This is where the magic happens:
Who is responsible
What happens weekly
What gets tracked
How accountability works
How meetings tie it all together
How to create a 90-day cadence that keeps the team aligned
✔️ How to Turn This Into a Team Tool, Not an Owner Document
Because a plan that lives in your head doesn’t change your shop — only a plan your team understands and owns can do that.
Why This Episode Matters
Most shop owners “hope” January will be better.
Hope isn’t a plan.
A clear, simple, actionable plan is the difference between repeating another year… and creating a breakthrough one. This episode hands you the structure to do exactly that.
Sponsored By: Shop Marketing Pros
Special thanks to Shop Marketing Pros for supporting this episode. If you want stronger branding, better online visibility, and more cars in your bays, go to ShopMarketingPros.com — they’re the real deal.
Connect with Chris:
AutoFix-Auto Shop Coaching
www.aftermarketradionetwork.com
940-400-1008
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AutoFixAutoShopCoaching
YouTube:
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